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In these episodes of Mormon Stories, John and Margi interview 3 of the hard-working moderators of the “A Thoughtful Faith” Facebook group.  The group comprises LDS members who are working to stay engaged in constructive ways within Mormonism and offers a safe space to ask faith-challenging questions. Mark Crego, Jeralee Renshaw, and Dan Wotherspoon answer questions about the purpose of the group, but also embark on a very interesting conversation about how they each are able to remain happily involved in the Church despite being aware of the faith-challenging aspects of the Mormon faith. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, John and Margi interview 3 of the hard-working moderators of the “A Thoughtful Faith” Facebook group.  The group comprises LDS members who are working to stay engaged in constructive ways within Mormonism and offers a safe space to ask faith-challenging questions. Mark Crego, Jeralee Renshaw, and Dan Wotherspoon answer questions about the purpose of the group, but also embark on a very interesting conversation about how they each are able to remain happily involved in the Church despite being aware of the faith-challenging aspects of the Mormon faith. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *He

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *He

In this series on Mormon Stories, we interview the fabulous Natasha Helfer Parker, MFT, CST — moderator of the Mormon Mental Health podcast — to finally hear her “Mormon story.” This interview covers: *Being raised in the Church with convert parents in Spain and her eventual move to the US *Natasha and her family’s concerns about the practice of polygamy and frustration that their questions never seemed to be answered, yet remaining true-believers *The impact of being a victim of sexual abuse as a child and teenager and how it influenced her experiences exploring her sexuality as a teenager and young adult *Her removal from BYU because of her sexual experiences and her thoughts now about the unintended consequences of honor code enforcement *How she met her husband and disclosed her sexual past in an act of transparency, and how it affected the first years of their marriage *Her thoughts now about the difference between behavior and self-worth within the Church, especially as it relates to sexual behavior *He

In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- the author of "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone" --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In this episode, we interview Brynne Thomas Gant -- the author of "They Can Leave the Church, But They Can't Leave the Church Alone" --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather. In this episode of Mormon Stories we interview Savannah and her mother, Heather.  Savannah recently generated international media attention when she came out as gay to her Mormon ward (congregation) in Eagle Mountain, Utah during fast and testimony meeting (May 7, 2017).  Towards the end of her testimony, a presiding priesthood authority cut off her microphone and told her to sit down.  A friend recorded the video of her live testimony. In this episode John interviews both Savannah and Heather in order to provide the context for Savannah's testimony that day.  Questions answered in this episode include: *What was Savannah's relationship with the Mormon church prior to her testimony? *Why did Savannah want to come out as gay to her ward?   *Why did she write out her testimony beforehand? *Why did Savannah's parents "allow" her to bear her testimony in this way? *Who recorded Savannah's testimony, and why? *How did Savannah and he

In this episode of Mormon Stories and Mormon Transitions, John and Margi reflect back on their 13 years of experience as semi- and non-believers and provide their advice on how to successfully navigate activity in the LDS Church.  Some of the topics discussed are: *Advice on how to determine whether church attendance is a healthy option for you and your family *Living the “Law of Tithing” in a way that is meaningful to you *Focusing on teaching lessons about truths that resonate with you, and less on the topics that trouble you as they most likely will be covered many other times *How to respond to inquiries about your activity status from fellow ward members *Setting boundaries and expectations when given a calling *Protecting your children by having an open discussion after church that allows them to safely process and talk through the information  *Building social credit in your ward to spend thoughtfully when the time arrives *Advice on how to ethically navigate the temple recommend interview *Answering t

Continuing our series on “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Sarah Newcomb who descends from the Tsimshian of the NW Coastal Tribes. In this interview we cover: *How Sarah struggled as a youth knowing that she came from the ‘Lamanites,’ who had turned their backs on God. *How she worked her way through college in Rexburg, ID, acquired a degree in Communications/Journalism, and how her new knowledge around sourcing served as an impetus to her questioning her faith. *How her husband ignored the Mormon admonition against interracial marriage, out of love for Sarah. *Her avoidance of dancing (and other native customs), as they were practiced by the ’Lamanites’ in the Book of Mormon. *Her avoidance of the sun, as a way to ensure that her skin would stay as light as possible. *How she used her knowledge of sourcing (seeking original documentation) to discover many of the problems with LDS church history and doctrine, all before discovering the CES Letter. *How Mormon Stories Podcast validated her feelings, and pro

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *The experience of seeking a sealing cancellation and how it made her relive the nightmare of her divorce *Dating and marrying her current husband *Working for BYU-Idaho and the gender disparity she observed *Her husband’s faith transition and her reaction to it by “quintupling down” on her beliefs *How leaving her job at BYU gave her the freedom to learn and question *Her own faith transition and hope for the future --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *The experience of seeking a sealing cancellation and how it made her relive the nightmare of her divorce *Dating and marrying her current husband *Working for BYU-Idaho and the gender disparity she observed *Her husband’s faith transition and her reaction to it by “quintupling down” on her beliefs *How leaving her job at BYU gave her the freedom to learn and question *Her own faith transition and hope for the future --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

We are excited to release an interview with Jen Parkinson that has many fascinating components, including: *Her devout LDS upbringing and bout with perfectionism while a youth and as a missionary *Her first marriage to a gay man, unbeknownst to her *Experiences with LDS Family Services in addressing her husband’s sexual orientation *Her resulting divorce and intense feelings of guilt and shame *The experience of seeking a sealing cancellation and how it made her relive the nightmare of her divorce *Dating and marrying her current husband *Working for BYU-Idaho and the gender disparity she observed *Her husband’s faith transition and her reaction to it by “quintupling down” on her beliefs *How leaving her job at BYU gave her the freedom to learn and question *Her own faith transition and hope for the future --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Derrick Clements—a new contributor to “The Cheeky Mormon Movie Review” podcast series with Gina Colvin, avid podcaster, and reporter for Provo’s Daily Herald. In part 2, Derrick shares his beliefs and reasons for remaining active in the LDS Church and the important role personal honesty and integrity play in that decision. As a general rule, Derrick avoids dogma and does not rely heavily on truth claims as the root of his faith. Derrick and John answer the difficult questions such as: “Is it disingenuous to stay active in the LDS Church with knowledge of ‘problems’ of historicity and knowing the harm the church inflicts on groups of people, like LGBTQ individuals?” “Are the people who remain complicit in that harm?” “Should the teachings of the church be taken literally or metaphorically?” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In these episodes of Mormon Stories, we interview Derrick Clements—a new contributor to “The Cheeky Mormon Movie Review” podcast series with Gina Colvin, avid podcaster, and reporter for Provo’s Daily Herald. Derrick and John begin part 1 by discussing categories of people who remain active in the LDS Church, including those who are: Unaware of church “problems” Unable to leave without massive disruption in their lives Unempathetic to those the church harms Staying to improve the church Genuinely spiritually converted Motivated to stay for tribal / identity sentiments --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

This episode is a recording of Dr. John Dehlin's goodbye presentation to Cache Valley Oasis - a secular support community formed in Fall of 2015 in Logan, Utah. In his presentation (recorded May 21, 2017), John shared reflections of "lessons" he has learned over the course of 13 years as a Mormon/Post-Mormon activist. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

In this episode of Mormon Stories, Margi and John share and discuss their ideas in creating a family culture.  Margi uses the metaphor of a “tower” with 5 building blocks to show their cumulative effect.   These building blocks are:   Values — the foundational layer Embodiment — the living of those values Ritual — the framework that integrates those values into your schedule Tradition — opportunities to celebrate that cement values Home Environment — the space and “vibe” that reflects values --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mormonstories/message

Continuing our series entitled “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Mormons from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders — with the intent of exploring their faith transitions, and focusing (where relevant) particularly on their thoughts and feelings around having been handed the now questionable “Lamanite” identity. In this episode we interview Hyrum Joe, and cover the following: *His 3rd-generation upbringing in the LDS Church *The culture shock he experienced when he moved off the Reservation while in grade school *His feelings of being an outsider both in and out of the Church while growing up in his new community *His inactivity in his younger years and how he subsequently went back into activity after meeting his ex-wife and becoming sealed in the temple *How he realized he never truly had a "testimony" of the truth claims of the LDS Church, even while being active and being heavily involved in ward missionary activities *His impending faith transition *His thoughts and feel

Continuing our series entitled “Losing the Lamanites,” we interview Mormons from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders — with the intent of exploring their faith transitions, and focusing (where relevant) particularly on their thoughts and feelings around having been handed the now questionable “Lamanite” identity. In this episode we interview Hyrum Joe, and cover the following: *His 3rd-generation upbringing in the LDS Church *The culture shock he experienced when he moved off the Reservation while in grade school *His feelings of being an outsider both in and out of the Church while growing up in his new community *His inactivity in his younger years and how he subsequently went back into activity after meeting his ex-wife and becoming sealed in the temple *How he realized he never truly had a "testimony" of the truth claims of the LDS Church, even while being active and being heavily involved in ward missionary activities *His impending faith transition *His thoughts and feel

This episode begins our series on “Losing the Lamanites” where we interview people from Central and South America, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders with the intent of exploring their faith transitions—especially their thoughts and feelings on the identity of “Lamanite” being given to them.   Vania Moore was raised in the LDS Church and has recently experienced a faith transition.  In this episode, we explore:   *Vania’s upbringing in the LDS Church and her desire to serve an LDS mission *Her thoughts about the label of “Lamanite” and how she never felt it applied to her, and why *The cultural differences of the LDS Church she noticed having been raised in Brazil and then immigrating to Utah *Her marriage and subsequent divorce *Immigrating to America in search of a new life for herself and her children *How her struggle with anxiety and depression immediately subsided after she decided to leave the LDS Church *Her remarriage to a true-believing member of the LDS Church and how they make their mixed-fai